PEEKSKILL, N.Y. – Mayor Mary Foster has appointed a new corporation counsel and a new director of public works for Peekskill.

Edward P. Dunphy was appointed the city’s corporation counsel, and Brent W. VanZandt was appointed the city’s new engineer and director of public works, according to a statement released by Foster on Monday.

Dunphy most recently served as acting corporation counsel for the city of Yonkers, and VanZandt was previously a 22-year civil engineering veteran with New York State’s Department of Transportation.

“The city is thrilled to have two highly qualified and highly motivated professionals join our already solid leadership team,” Foster said. “We look forward to leveraging both Ed’s and Brent’s proven insights and strong relationships as Peekskill works to transform its Waterfront and Downtown Historic Districts, and raises the bar on the level of services provided in the city.”

Dunphy began his legal career as law secretary to an associate judge with the State of New York's Supreme Court Appellate Division. He then spent the next 15 years in private practice before joining the city of White Plains as corporation counsel until 2010. Before joining the city of Peekskill leadership team, Dunphy worked as acting corporation counsel for the city of Yonkers, researching and drafting legislation for the city on a range of municipal matters.

“We’re seeing significant interest and activity in Peekskill that, based on my tenure with Yonkers and White Plains, marks the beginnings of a city’s true economic growth and redevelopment,” Dunphy said in a statement.

VanZandt has 20 years of experience in the field and has strong ties to the city. The American Society of Civil Engineers honored VanZandt for the Route 9 reconstruction project in Peekskill, which addressed structural and safety concerns in the city, improved traffic flow and made it possible for goods to move efficiently in and out of Peekskill.

VanZandt also coordinated work with Fishkill, Beacon and Peekskill to construct new water and sewer mains and drainage infrastructure and was instrumental in the redesign of the cobblestone retaining wall that now runs along Peekskill’s Hudson Avenue.

“As a NYSDOT engineer responsible for managing the Route 9 reconstruction project from 2008 through 2010, I gained important familiarity with the inner-workings of the City of Peekskill,” VanZandt said in a statement. “I look forward to working more closely with the city and with all those who provide the broad range of services so vital to Peekskill residents.”